Bogotá & Surroundings – Colombia II

Happy Sunday!

As promised, the Colombian adventure starts! And it starts with Bogotá, keep a day to get to know this city!

The capital of the country is one of the largest cities is South America and the third-highest capital city in South America at 2,625 metres. The location is amazing since it is actually located in the high plateau in the Andes mountains.

My first tip would be get a driver/taxi/tourist guide for a day: 100% for you and flexible so that you can enjoy and visit the city as you wish and at your own pace.

You can organize your day as you want, but my recommendation would be as follows:

• Monserrate. Those who know Montserrat (next to Barcelona), you can imagine on top of a mountain (rises to 3,152 metres) a church devoted to “El Señor Caído”, which has stunning views of the city (that of course if the weather is nice – we had bad luck with rain&fog). You can go up to the mountain either by funicular or Teleferico (cable car).

• Historic City Centre. The nicest area of the city is La Candelaria, where the city was born. Just wander around its narrow streets and looking at 300 year old houses and balconies. Some must see areas are: Plaza Bolivar, the Catedral Primada and the Capilla del Sagrario, the Gold Museum, the Botero Museum, Tercer Milenio park, the Government buildings, Simón Bolívar house, and I personally love the Santa Clara church.

• Andrés Carne de Res in Chía. It is located around 30 minutes outside Bogotá, but it is SO worth it! If you can, try to go during the weekend. Not only you will taste one of the best meat of the world (try el lomo al trapo), but you will have the most amazing party!

• Catedral de la Sal (Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá).  It is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine 200 meters underground in a halite mountain. I personally loved the Stations of the Cross (there are 14 small chapels which illustrate the events of Jesus’ last journey) and the Dome. It is such a breathtaking place!

For dinner & partying (or “rumbear”), there are several areas you can check: Zona G (Harry’s bar, Criterion, Rafael, etc.); Zona T (Di Lucca, Bogotá beer, etc.), Parque de la 93 (my favorite, it is full of bars&restaurants).

For a nice sleep, I would choose among the following: Hoteles Dann, Hoteles Estelar, Cité Hotels. Or you can always check Trip Advisor top hotels.

Hope you like it and get ready for the next stop: Eje Cafetero (Coffee area).

Have a nice rest of the day!

Sara, The Accidental Tourist.